Spring loaded strut for shoulder finishing machines



? w32. c. G. sca-'mm ET AL, l wym SPRING LOADED STRUT FOR SHULDERKYFNISHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 23. K 1951V n 2 sneets-shee e 1 l alito: wmf/5 ug. i6, i932@ c. G. scr-imm ET AL 'y am SPRING Loman STRUT FOR SHOULDER Fim-sama MACHINES Filed Nov. 25, 1931 2 sneetssheet 2 isi- l, Ka.

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gft/muto@ Patented 16, 1931.-?.

N "uloFFlcE char. o. sommi am) Lvnr c. Rasmussen, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, Assrenoas i ro :Nanay MANUFACTURING coureur. or mammals, mienne, A coaro nanou J armo Loenen swarm: ron. snowman rmsnmo nomas'- -appnmiun fl'iurmvember as, iasi. sensi No. 576,856.

UNITED 's'rATEsrATE In the finishing of highway shoulders, it is customary to employ machines vfor this purpose whichhave an adjustable blade for fmlshin the height and slope of the shoulder whic is laid along the roadway; and as it is necessary, under various conditions to adjust the slope of the shoulder to conform to the regulation of the State in which the highway isbeing laid, as well as it beingnecessary to raise the shoulder forming blade,

1n operatin the machine, in order to clear culverts am? other obstructionsit is very desirable to provide a construction wherein the required adjustments and manipulations of the blade be eiected as easily as possible. It will be remembered that `in usingthe standard types of vroad grading machines, the machine proper carries the cutting blades, and in nearly all cases these blades protrude considerably to one side; and because of the considerable weight, Athe aforesaid adjustments often require more labor than one man is able to give. I i

The adjustment is customaril effected through the operation of a handw eel which operates a shaft passing through a hollow reinforcing strut. The present invention is aimed to provide a means `or mechanism wherein the weight of the blade carried by the wheel iscounterbalanced so as to produce an easier actuation tendant adjustment of the blade.

The present invention, inv general, comprises a novel sup orting strut for carrying the shoulder finis -'ngblade of usualconstruction.- This strut is hollow and' encloses.

a spring which acts ulpon the usual shaft of the adjusting handw eel so that the force of the compression of the spring will tend to act oppositely to the pull of the lblade so as to counteract this pull in such a manner that when the blade is in substantially horizontal position, its weight will be substantially en. v the compressional tirely counteracted by force of the spring.

.This construction will be; brought out in more detail hereinafter, and more fully ex plained; but it may be here mentioned that by adjusting the initial compression in this spring according to the weight of the supof the wheel with atthe shoulder' for lades.

the blades above this mean adjustment position requires an increasing effort on the part of the operator as the increases, for in this case the compression in the spring is gradually relieved andthe amount of adjustment 4 ported members, itis possible to make the operator with no more eiiort than is u operator has to lift the unbalanced wei ht of the supported structure.' On the ot er hand,if the supported structure be lowered below the position of the level ad'ustment, then the s ring is com ressed'wi the result that t e operator. as to exert enough effort to overcome the unbalanced load of the compressed spring; adjustments are muc ent novel construction.`

Furthermore, it will be seen that the improved construction of the present case ro vides that the working parts of the adjusting mechanism are enclosed in a protective and dust-proof housing which materially retardsor inhibits wear of the arts, and which also rotects` an operator of injury through operation of these parts.

The invention will be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in whi Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of a portion of a. road grading machine showing the grading and sloping blades, with adjustments therefor shown in dotted lines, together with the carryingsuprts for mounting the shoulder grading Figure 2 is a view ofthe parts shown in Figure 1, but looking downwardly thereon m above.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectionalview through the novel strut of this invention,

showing the mounting of the spring and arrangement of the adjustin'" mechanism.

Figure 4 `is an enlarged of the left-hand end of the construction' of Figure 8.

but in either case, the

facilitated by the presrom possibility c* agmentary view l' Referring more particularly to the drawings, the letter A re resents, in general, a shoulder gradin mac e provided with the adjustable shoulder levelling blade B and the auxiliary slopin shoulder blade C. The blade B is adjustab y mounted for .vertical positioning through the strut D, one end of which is joined to the frame of the shoulder ading machine, and the other end connects with the shoulder levellin blade B through the connection shown at The inner 'end of the levelling blade B isvertically adjustable 'by operation of the handwheel H.

Additional means for positioning the grad-- ing or levellin blade B are provided asnecessary. Suc additional means'are illustrated by the strut F, which is also adjustable. in the. well known manner. The angular slope of the shoulder sloping blade C is carried out through operation of the hand-` wheel G mounted on this blade.

As has been previouslyointed out, the operation of the shoulder b ades B and C is dliicult `for a. single operator owing to the considerable weightof these blades; and as these blades require' 'adjustment from time' to time, throu h various causes, it is desirablev to provi e meansfor permitting this adjustment in a manner as easily as possible, so' that it willnot require attention of more than asin'gle operator 4to perform the necessary adjusting manipulations, and to render such manipulations well within' the limita` tion of the strength of that single operator.

To this end, the strut comprises a hollow tube D enclosing a spring 1, this spring being positioned between washers 2 and 3, and-bemg compressed between these washers to an extent calibrated at the assembling of themachine, so that the force of the spring will f be acting lin a direction opposite to the /ull of the shoulder blades B and C and so at ter of the strut D is the rod 11 which is provided with threads at each end. j

It will be understood that the left hand end of the construction shown in Figures 3 and 4 is the upper end of the adjusting'mechanism when the device is assembled'. The threaded end 12 of the rod 11 is screwed intothe threaded member 13 and permanently attached by a crosspin 12a. A screw section 6a similar to the section 6, previously mentioned, is adapted to coact with the member v13. The member A13 is threaded with lefthand threads, while the extension 5 is threaded with right-hand threads. Turning the handwheel 10, the two members 5 and 13 are drawn toward each other simultaneously, or

pushedv out simultaneously. depending upon vdirection of rotation. The member 13 projects beyond the end of the sleeve 7 so as to carryk a bracket 14 which is connected to a suitable element of the frame of the shoulder grading machine- A through the instrumentalities of a bolt 15.

' For lubrication of 'these members, connectlons 8 and 9 areprovided, which permit attachment of a-grease gun for pressure lubrication.

The hollow shaft 7 with its operating hand l wheel 10 is accordingly mounted to cause movement of the parts 5, and 13-together or apart in accordance with the direction of r0- tation of the' handwheel. The right or outer end of the rod 11 is provided with threads along a substantial length of the shaft, such threads being indicated at A16. The washer 3 is moved along these threadsA for adjusting the compression of the spring when the strut is assembled, the adjusted compression of the sprin being maintained by proper positioning o the nut 3a.A

uitably secured in position in the end of the'tube D is a connectinghhead, or member,

17, which is attached to part E, which,

in turn, is connected with the blade B for supporting this blade.

Suitable guiding members 18 and 18a may be positioned along therod 11 to hold this rod in proper spaced relation with res t to the spring 1 and tube D, which gui g members `also enable the use of several shorter springs insteadl of one long, unwieldy and'pexpensive spring.

As has been reviously described, adjustment of the bla e B is made by operating the handwheel 10. It will be seen 4that the weight of the blades B and C will be carried by the connection E and transmitted to the' hollow tube D, thence to the head or .plug 4,

the extension' 5 `of which is threaded in the section 6, thence transmitted to the sleeve 7 and parts 6a,13, 14 and 15. This will tend to pull the parts of the mechanism downwardly, but opposed to this downward pull will be -`the force of the compressionof the spring 1, acting upon the rod 11,l the part 4,

and the members 13, 6, 7, 6a, 13, 14 and 15.

in a direction oppositeljT to the pull of the lweight of the blades B and C. It will therefore be seen that by properly ad usting the compression ofthe spring 1, the orce of the spring and of the gravity dpull of the blades B and C may be equalize j equalized, so that in this position of equilibrium, the operation of the handwheel l10 requires an effort only sufficient to overcome or substantially The force of this compression will he exerted 3 andthe screw parts cause operation of the part 13 is rigidly mounted against all 19 this ticai adluscment of ihebiade. 1 .Likewise the member to which the Ablade B is pivoted,

come the increased compression of the g in ,the` parts v(i and 6a carried in the sleeve.'` It will be apparent that rotation `of the handwheel 10 wil cause the sleeve 7 13, workin the threads Aof the A v a ese parts, for of course movement;`

The blade B apivoted stihenichinen ivotal connection permitting theveris adjustable vertically for purposes of. altering the vertical position of the innerend of the blade B. The handwheelH is used to effect this vertical adjustment, the handwheel being carried' by and left hand threaded rods 22 and 23., T is assembly of parts just described constitutes,

in eiect, a second strut for adj ustablyfcarry'- ing' the pivoted machine.

so that the hollow member D and the part 4 are inwardly moved toward the left as seen in Figures 3 and 4, while the` rod 11 is 4 by`virtue of the connection between its end and plug 13. This will release gradually the compression of the s ring more or less. The opposite eiectA wil take place upon lowering the blade B below the horizontal position. To e'ect this adjustment, the distance between the handwheel 10 and the blade B must be lengthened. This is accomplished by turning the wheel 10 so that-the art 4 and hollow member-D will be move outwardly or to the right in Figures 3 and 4, whilethe rod 11 is retracted 'relatively to the member 4, or moved to the left. AThis produces a compression of the s ringyso that as the distance between-the lade and its horizontal position increases, an operator will have .to exert increased efforts to oversprin However, within the normal ran e of adjustment, there is no appreciable, iiference to the operator. V

The screw thread. rtions of the members 6 and 6a are pitched0 be made in parts `oongra ing blades carried by .a shoulder finishing machine, of an adjustable supporting strut for the blades, means for a the blades and strut, and means'assocated with the strut and adjusting means for coun- 6 andal to travel alongv `:tgarts' and 13,so as top 1ng machine,

' for adjustin t 'l the said mem a `sleeve21 connecting ri ht` end of the blade adjacent thel In operation, the handwheel 10 is turned forced to the right relatively to member be in opposite directions` as hasbeen previously explained. The tribus.

25, removable to enable justing.

teracting the weight ofthe blades for facilitating adjustment .of the blades.

2. A- mechanism ofthe character described, com rising the combination with shoulder gra g b ades carried by' a shoulder finishof Va strut` including a` hollow adjustable supporting member for the blade,

means operatin .through the hollow member' e blade, and means within r forcounteracting the weight -1 of the blades for 4facilitating adjustment of theblades. v

3.,A'mechanism ties within the member Afor .counterthe weight of the blades forfacilitating adjustment ofthe blades. l

character described,

4.' A mechanism of the j com risin the combination with shoulder gra 'ng b ades carried by a shoulder finish-v ing machine of a supporting strut-construction for the b r carrying the blades, an adjusting wheel interconnected .with the tubularmember for adjustment thereof in accordance with corresponding rotations of the wheel, and a comf pressed' spring disposed'within' the tubular member arranged to exert a force op in that produced by the weight of-the lade, the' compression of the sprin being adjusted to substantiallyv neutralize, kiirough its compressional force, the blades; f

5. 'A mechanism of the class* shoulder thev gravitational pull vof of deeharscier deseaban com rising the combination with shoulder; l gra ing blades carried by assembly' including.

lades including a.` tubular meml gra ing blades carried by a shoulder finishing machine, of a strut construction for carryin the blades and including a tubular mem er directly carrying the blades, and an adjusting mechanism connected to the tubular member for adjusting the position of the blades, the adjusting o mechanism including a handwli'eel, a hol w shaft carrying the handwheel and turnable therewith, screw sections at o positeA ends of the shaft and o positely pitched, a head at one end of the said tubular member and having a portion screwed into the adjacent screw section of the shaft of the wheel, a second head at the other end of the sha'ft'of the wheel in threaded engagement with the otherscrew section of the shaft i and terminating in a bracket securing the strut assembly to the shoulder finishin machine, a rod secured tothe second name head and extending through the head of the tubu lar member and also a substantial distance in the tubular member itself and terminating izo adapted to exert a forcetoeounteract the gravitational pull of the blades.

6. A mechanism of the character described, comprising the combination with shoulder .3f grading blades carried by a shoulder finishmg machine, of a-supporting'strut construction for the blades including a-tubular`mem ber carrying the blades, an adjusting wheel for moving the tubular member in accordance `with corresponding rotations` of the "wheel, instrumentalities mterconnectin the wheel and tubular member and includlng-a head member-Within the tubular member, a' threaded extension on the headv member, a ushaft o erable by the Wheel, a-threaded member in t e shaft secured tothe shoulder finishing machine andprovided with threads running oppositely to those on the extension,

and threaded sections within the shaft re ceiving the extension Aand member respectivel a rod threaded in the said threaded mem r and projecting through the exten-l sion and head and into the tubular member,

an extension in the tubular member carrying the gradingl blades, and a compressed springen the s aft arranged to counteractthe weight of the blades.'

7 A mechanism of the character described, com risin gra ing b ades carried by a shoulder finishing machine, of a sup orting strut construction for the blades inc uding a tubular member carrying the blades, an adjusting wheel for moving the tubular member in accord- $5 ance with corresponding rotations of the wheel, andinstrumentalities interconnecting the wheel and tubular member the instrumentalities comprisin a head for the tubular member, a threade extension on the heada shaft operable by the wheel, a4 threaded member in the shaft secured to the shoulder finishing machine and provided with threads running oppositely to those on the extension, and threaded sections receiving the extensionand member, the extension together with the tubular member being thereby moved toward and away from the said threaded member.

8; A mechanism of the character described, comprisin the combination with shoulder grading b ades carried by a shoulder finishing machine, one of the blades having an end 9. A mechanism'comprising the' combinati'on with shoulder gradin blades carried by a shoulder limshmg mac ine, of adjusting mechanism for vertically adjustingv the blades, includin a pair of struts, each strut bemgformed o a vertically adjusting member l plvotallyconnected `w1th the blade, an

operating member for lifting and lowering the ad 'usting member, and oppositely threaded ro operatively connected to the operatin member, one-'of -the said rods being seto the machine, the other rod beingl connected to the adjusting member, one of the struts including a resilient member acting to counteract the weight of the blades, the said blades beinlad] usted by lcooperative manipulation of e' operating 'members of both struts. V y

' In testimony whereof we ailix our signatures. l

` CARL G. SCHMID.

ALVIN RASMUSSEN.

the combination with shoulder l eoV j i los pivotally mounted adjacent the machine, of

means for adjusting the bladesin a ver-tical plane, the means comprisinga spring strut 55' counteract the -weight o the blades on the' strut, together with adjustin means therefor, a second strut carrying t e pivotedend of the blade adjacent the machine, comprising a Vvertically adjustable; member secured to the end ofthe blade for lifting. the said end, and instrumentalities fori-operating the memj ber including a handwhel, a sleeve secured thereto, and oppositely threaded rods in the L sleeve, one of which is secured to the machine structure includingfa s ring arranged to 

